Worth the Risk (Closed)

[Asa]

Is that your only reason for attending this documentary Mr Thomas?

Her eyes fell to Joe as she spoke a smirk gracing her lips and a brow raised before looking to the others.

Lets go and I think you will be pleasantly surprised it is a very interesting explaination of the drastically different views of woman in combat and in the military period from many countries.

Turning she walked into the theater.

 

[Armphid]

Joe actually looked a little sheepish as Doctor Jacobs commented on what he'd said, "Uh, no, not just for that," he mumbled.

"Very convincing," Ruth snickered as they walked into the dimly lit theater.

It wasn't a huge space as the showings here were mostly for documentaries, independent films, and the occasional classic movie screening, but it was well appointed with comfortable chairs and very purposefully given the appearance of an old school entertainment facility with elegant drapes and lighting.

Marcus and the other students filed in and took their seats. The tall youth glanced over at his elegant and strong willed teacher as she sat beside him; admiring how the soft light seemed to enhance the beauty of her dark hair and keen eyes. It almost felt like a real date, well, kind of. "It'll be all right to see something without sitting through 20 minutes of ads and trailers for a change."

Before they could get too much into banter, the lights dimmed further to signal the start of the showing and the screen lit up as it began.

 

[Asa]

She enjoyed the film having known who created it smiling at just how well she laid it all out if not a little on the offensive towards lingering attitudes in some branches. Glancing over to catch the expressions of her students curious how they might react to truly seeing the reality of how some nations welcome females into hardcore combat services.

 

[Armphid]

The film was an eye opener in many ways; there were other places where women were much more accepted as part of the hardcore fighting units of the military and the impact of it was remarkable. Of course, there were also still places were women couldn't serve at all or where their service was offensive or seen as culturally insulting. The documentary covered all of it; boldly and clearly making the case that the militaries of those places who had women warriors were superior to those that did not. It also argued that the US military needed to do more to take advantage of the power of women soldiers. It made it's case directly and critically of specific branches of the Armed Services.

As the lights came back up, the little group of students was silent for a moment. Marcus spoke up first, "That was...revealing. I know we've been talking about women as warriors but seeing it this way makes it more real somehow."

Dave nodded, "Yeah. I mean, I know a little bit about it. My mom served in India before coming over to the US but...it's different to see it."

Ruth just grinned, "It was great! Man, those old men at the Pentagon should wise up. Of course, they probably know that we'd make better officers, the cowards."

Joe looked a bit disgruntled as the stood up. "Hey, I thought the point was that dudes and chicks could both be bad ass."

She snorted, "I'd say just about any girl would be better than any guy, maybe not by a lot. Espeically at the lower officer levels."

Joe shook his head, "No way."

"Sure!" As they were leaving, Ruth suddenly pushed Marcus from behind, making him stumble and swung him so that he was partly bent over the row of seats in front of them, displaying his ass.

"Hey!" He blushed, turning his head to glare at her.

"Hold right there, I'm proving a point," the redhead grinned. She then positioned herself similarly and looked back at Joe, wiggling her butt. "Which would you rather follow? Mine or his?"

Joe blinked and opened his mouth as if to speak before shutting it again. He shook his head, "Okay, that's a way better argument than it should be."

Marcus got up, blushing, "Damn it, Ruth. I'm on your side in all this, you know."

"That's why I thought you wouldn't mind," she shrugged as she stood up as well. "Taking one for the team, you know?"

He glared at her again and shook his head, "What do you think, Doctor Jacobs?" He was embarrassed that she had seen him get manhandled like that. But it did also prove her point in a way; he hadn't wanted to push Ruth away for fear of hurting her. So didn't that mean Ruth had better fighting instincts than him because of his gender?

 

[Asa]

And that right there proves why its stupid to let a woman in the military.

A voice spoke from a couple rows behind them that caused Dr Jacobs to tense.

Women will betray loved ones friends and enemies when given the power to. Isn't that right Annika?

The voice sneered out of the marine cut form who did not see her old team sitting behind him as they all called out.

We got this boss.

And they picked up and carried the now less than smug male out of the building and to the local police station for violation of restraining order.

 

[Armphid]

The heckler's voice was smug and cruel, all of the students whirling to face the man who'd spoken. Marcus, however, glanced not at him but at Doctor Jacobs. She was tense and her dark skin was a bit paler than normal. He turned to glare at the man, "No one asked you, as-"

Before he could finish the sentence or the man act further, there was a call from several people who had been behind the sneering man. He recognized many of them from the base; they all moved in concert to grab and secure him; the man looking as surprised as the rest of him and hauling him bodily out of the theater.

The rest of the students blinked, looking stunned. Dave shook his head, "What the hell was that?"

Joe just snorted, "Some ass who had too much to drink. What a tool!" He clapped Dave on the shoulder, "Come on, let's go see if they kick his ass!"

As the two other boys hurried out of the theater, Ruth looked over at Marcus and spoke softer, "Hey, what is it?"

The young man's expression had shifted to one of sudden comprehension followed by mind searing fury. The man had called Doctor Jacobs by her first name and she clearly knew his voice. He'd spoken to her condescendingly and aggressively and her military friends had been on hand, which sure as hell was no coincidence. They'd been all over and visiting her since her trip, when her wrist was injured, when she'd seen the "pompous prince" who was her ex-husband.

That was him. And he'd hurt Doctor Jacobs before; attacked her.

"I just put two and two together," he answered Ruth, "and it equals truly wanting to kill someone for the first time in my life." He looked over at her, "Ruth, can you make sure Dave and Joe don't get into any trouble out there?"

She nodded slowly, "Sure." The redhead strode out after the other two students.

Marcus looked back at Doctor Jacobs. "Doctor Jacobs, um, that's how your wrist got hurt, isn't it?" He then held up his hand, "You don't have to answer, I'm sorry to ask." He was furious with the man now; he wanted to hit him, wanted to hurt him, wanted to break him. But at the same time he felt sympathy for this powerful and amazing woman before him. "Are you all right?"

 

[Asa]

She nodded even though she wasn't alright. Briggs had been right his arrogance did get the better of him and here he was... and her team knew to be here too... but how. She stared at Marcus had he not been her student she probably would have crumbled even just a little into what she could tell would be a tender supportive embrace. If they were not in public with other students she might have anyway but she held to that rigid division of professor and student as she smiled hoping he would believe she was fine. Her ex was the only person who seemed able to.affect her... not even combat and death could mess wig her was well as he could and she detested that weakness.

I need to go make sure that none of them get in trouble...

With that she hurried out of the theater.

 

[Armphid]

Marcus watched her go, frowning. When he was alone in the theater, he sighed. "That's the first time you've lied to me, Doctor Jacobs," he said softly.

No time to mope about it though. He went after her, wondering if she'd meant her former teammates or her students when worrying about "them" getting in trouble.

He hurried out of the theater, seeing Doctor Jacobs ahead of him and his fellow students past her. There was something of a scene in the lobby, Annika's arrogant ex being lifted and pulled along with his feet not quite touching the ground by most of her team. One of the others was speaking to the Exhibition Center's Head of Security and a few of his people. Another was on the phone, though Marcus couldn't hear the conversation enough to know who they were talking to.

Dave saw them coming and waved, "Doctor Jacobs, Marcus! I don't know what's going on but Security's called the cops to pick this guy up. He's ranting about something and he threw them off and made a break for it once, but they grabbed him again."

 

[Asa]

Dr Jacobs turned and hurried to her car and was gone.

The next day in class she stood there somber and back in that more military hard edged bearing as she spoke.

To those who witnessed the disruption at the documentary showing... that was my ex husband the one you heard Dr Briggs and he base commander talking about. The ones that dragged him out were my old team. There should be no more trouble out of him as this little event gained him a stay in jail till the next court date.

 

[Armphid]

Marcus felt a surge of vindictive satisfaction at the news that the cops had been called. But before it could all be sorted out one way or the other, Doctor Jacobs was gone. She simply made for one of the exits without a word; striding briskly to her car and then was gone.

He stared after her departure, feeling his heart ache. God, that really clinched it, didn't it? He had fallen for her and she was in such pain.

The next day in class, she seemed the same as always but harder and more somber somehow. When she made the announcement about the man being her ex-husband, the class buzzed with reaction for a few seconds but almost immediately quieted.

There were questions on many faces, as well as expressions of outrage on those of the students who had been there. Joe muttered something about how he shouldn't punched the guy when he first opened his mouth, Ruth muttered something much the same about the man's privates.

Marcus didn't say anything. He was quiet that class; not speaking up at all, which was far from the norm. Last night it had been hard to sleep, thinking about Annika, no, Doctor Jacobs, and her situation and his feelings, and what, if anything, could be done about any of it. He hadn't come up with any real answers.

What he did feel was a deep set determination to continue to help her and to show her that no matter what that guy had said or done, he knew she was right, that she was strong. She was the perfect woman; and the perfect woman soldier. He knew he'd follow her anywhere and he was sure that her old team and the rest of the students in class felt the same.

It was a heavy and deep amount of thinking and required a certain emotional shift in the teenager. By the time class was over, he felt ready to go on.

As he had almost every day of the semester, Marcus made his way to her office for her office hours. He lifted his hand and rapped smartly on the door. "Doctor Jacobs, it's Marcus, ma'am."

 

[Asa]

She was lost in thought and barely realized when she said come in. She had been crying that was obvious as she sat there staring almost absently at the door.

Marcus... so what... do you want to talk about class this time?

 

[Armphid]

It was the first time she'd ever called him by his first name. It sounded sweet from her lips, even drenched in distraction and sorrow. It was funny, he'd wanted to hear her say his name badly but like this, with her in this state, it was simply sad. Her eyes were red and the tracks of tears were clear on her cheeks. It made his heart crack to see her all alone and weeping in secrecy.

He was probably going to get in trouble. He might get hurt. Maybe even ejected from school. But he would follow his heart.

Marcus closed the door behind him and then locked it, just in case. "I'm not here for class, Doctor Jacobs. I'm here for you." He let his satchel slip off his shoulder and to the floor and approached her slowly; not wanting to startle or shock the radiant and powerful beauty. "I'm sorry that you're hurting so much and I want to do something about it. I don't know if you have anyone to talk to, anyone who will just listen. I'll do that for you. I'm in no position to judge you or look down on you for anything you might say; I'm not a peer or a superior. Just someone who cares about you. You're the most amazing woman I've ever known and nothing you need or want to say will change that."

She was sitting in her office chair so he knelt before her, going down onto both knees. "Or just let me do this." Before he could second guess himself, Marcus leaned forward and hugged her. God, she felt so good in his arms! He tried not to think about it as he held her; his heart aching and pounding, nervous and afraid of her reaction but willing to face whatever it was for the chance to ease her pain even a little.

 

[Asa]

She crumbled for a short moment and accepted the hug. She curled into the hug even for a moment feeling strong arms holding her after far too long alone. Then the reality set in and she weakly tried to push away and put distance between them.


M... Marcus...

 

[Armphid]

He didn't move as she feebly pushed at him. She could push him away, hell, probably throw him across her office if she wanted to. "Doctor Jacobs...Annika." He smiled a little sadly, "God, your name is so pretty, do you know that?"

Marcus shook his head, "Annika, if I can call you that even just this once, if you really don't want to be held now...then say so and I'll let go." He leaned back enough to be able to see her face, to look into those radiant eyes so she could see her earnest sincerity. "If you just think we shouldn't because you're a teacher and I'm your student, because it's not "proper," then I think that's a bad reason and I'm going to stay right here."

 

[Asa]

She stared into his eyes fighting to regain composure and professionalism.

Bad reason or not I can't lose this job Mar... Mr. Coulson.

She was shaking but still tried to put distance between them. No matter how much she needed this even from him she could not let herself give in.

 

[Armphid]

The struggle he saw in her eyes tore at his heart and made him question his judgment. Had this been the right thing to do? It felt right at the time and he wanted it to be right. But it seemed to add to her troubles more than alleviate them.

"You won't lose this job, Anni...Doctor Jacobs," he said, his voice a bit wistful as he used her title and last name instead of her first name. "I'm not going to kiss you or do anything inappropriate, even though I...I'd really like to because I can see that's not what you want."

Which made him almost feel like crying himself.

"The door's locked so no one's just going to stumble in. Let me just hug you and hold you, I think it would help and I...I want to do this for you. And for me too, I won't lie, but...there it is. What do you say?"

 

[Asa]

He spoke of not kissing her but was honest that he wanted to.. but why... she studied his eyes trying to read this young man.

Why... why do you care so much Marcus? I... I can't understand why you would... especially with all you and the class know about me my past and my ex.

She stopped trying to put distance between them but did not move closer either. She wanted to understand but could not fathom why he would feel the way he seemed to feel for her.

 

[Armphid]

This was it. She'd asked him flat out and she deserved an answer.

Marcus nibbled his lower lip, suddenly nervous, but then he took a deep breath. "I don't know tons about your past or your ex but what I do know doesn't change anything for me." He kept his eyes on hers; he wanted her to see the truth there. "You are the most incredible woman I've ever met, or imagined I could meet. You're smart, strong, with such charisma, such willpower, that it humbles and amazes me. You're beautiful and graceful and powerful all at once. I...I love you."

God, he'd said it.

"I started falling for you that first day of class, and in the months since then it just got stronger. That's why." He shook his head, "I know I'm just a green kid but everything I've said is true."

 

[Asa]

She was stunned staring at him. Part of her intrigued part of her searching his eyes for this to be a joke to make her laugh. She saw no humor in his eyes and was almost relieved by that. Now what to do about this. She cared about this young man but love... could she love someone so soon. She was beyond confused and torn but still she searched his eyes

I... I don't know... I...

 

[Armphid]

He wasn't sure what he was looking for in his eyes but her own seemed to be searching them, probing them. Marcus held her gaze, her scrutiny both endearing and alarming. What if she saw something she didn't like? What was she even looking for?

Her uncertain words made him wince internally. He hadn't expected her to return his feelings but it still stung. It also changed nothing. "It's all right. You don't have to know yet. I know. I'm not asking you to love me back, that's got to be hard after everything you've gone through. Of course I'd like that, but I don't need it. Not yet."

"I love you and I'm here for you. It might seem like there's a lot you don't have control of right now, your friends actions and all that, but for what it's worth, you've got me. I want you to feel better, to be happy. And I'll do what you want if that'll help. You don't have to feel the same way I do, just let me help you. Please."

 

[Asa]

She stared deeper still no longer searching something in them had changed. Something had changed she cared for this hung man but feeling him hold her feeling that warmth hearing those words in contrast to all her stress anguish and emotional strain something snapped. She had always put everything else ahead of need and desire but now here was this young man nearly offering himself body and soul to her...


Without thought or any real apparently conscious control over her actions she kissed him firm but tender.

 

[Armphid]

Something in her eyes changed and he felt a moment of fluttery panic as she suddenly moved and then-

Bliss. Oh, God.

Marcus' eyes went wide as her warm, soft lips pressed against his. It felt amazing; strong and sweet, tender but firm, it was everything he'd imagined her kiss would be. He closed his eyes and kissed her back; his own lips happy and eager, fervent and reverent, all but worshiping her as a goddess.

His arms tightened about her slightly, pushing their bodies closer together, his hands moving lower to encircle her waist.

 

[Asa]

She let him remain there a moment as beheld her. Her mind spiraling as she sat there thinking. Could she be that person could she cross that line... he was her student but also the closest thing she had as a friend that had noting to do with her past and the military. He was handsome and would probably only see it as temp or a single conquest. So why shouldn't she? She soul have to think on his matter but for now it was strong arms willing to hold her at her weaker point in her life.

 

[Armphid]

She didn't speak, didn't push him away, did nothing to indicate if she approved or disapproved. Marcus just kissed her again with a bit more heat and passion; not much, he didn't want this to be tainted. He wanted to show her his feelings were true and pure. He did want her, desperately, but this had to come first.

The second kiss broke and he took a deep breath, his expression amazed and reverent as he looked down into her face. God, she was so gorgeous. Even after crying. "That was...was a lot better than I thought it would be," he said softly.

He didn't speak again then; waiting for her to do so. Marcus just stood with her and held her, his arms about her slender and supple form, cradling her loosely against his own strong and chiseled physique.

 

[Asa]

Marcus... I... we... I don't know what to make of this or what to do but I...

She smiled hoping he understood her interest in what had happened and what it could mean between them. She liked the idea more and more of having someone in her life even if it was just sex or more and she was enjoying that it was Marcus.